Rotary shifter with a dc motor driving lock mechanism

ABSTRACT

A shifter assembly having a housing supporting a detent locking wheel with a biasing return spring. A plunger housing subassembly is rotatably supported within the locking wheel and operating in response to an external input to be rotated between each of Park, Reverse, Neutral and Drive gear shift positions. An electric motor is supported by the housing and is linked to a lock lever, an extending portion of the lock lever engaging the locking wheel. A PCB board is integrated into the housing and is communicable with at least one external sensor associated with a driver exit condition. Upon a triggering of the exit condition with the shifter in other than a Park position, the motor being energized to retract the lock lever to permit the return spring to rotate the wheel to the Park position.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the priority of U.S. Ser. No. 15/910,158filed Mar. 2, 2018. The '158 application claims the priority of U.S.Ser. No. 62/527,372 filed Jun. 30, 2017, as well as U.S. Ser. No.62/469,959 filed Mar. 10, 2017.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention discloses each of rotary and lever style shifterswhich can shift between each of Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Sportpositions (the latter providing higher RPM at lower speeds for such asperformance driving conditions) As will be further described below, thepresent design incorporates a DC motor and gear set for actuating a locklever between each of lock, unlock and return-to-Park functionality forestablishing both controlled shifting between the PRND positions as wellas automatic return to park functionality.

Description of the Background Art

The prior art is documented with examples of sensor activated linkagefor establishing a return to Park condition (both associated with rotaryand linear shifter assemblies). Examples of these most notably includeeach of Swaita, USSN 2015/0143938, disclosing default-to-par, havingoutput member, rotatable plate, latching mechanism and biasing member),Watanabe, USSN 2015/0152958 teaching a motor driven device with controlcircuit for moving a rotary detent member to park, and Ehrmaier, U.S.Pat. No. 7,028,575 further disclosing a shift lever with dual shiftingchannels such that manual deflection in either channel, followingrelease, effectuates monostable return to park functionality.

Additional examples of motorized sifter assemblies include each of Fett,U.S. Pat. No. 9,334,949, Ganter, U.S. Pat. No. 9,239,108 and Rake, U.S.Pat. No. 9,518,650 among others. Other gear selector devices alsoinclude each of Fuhroff, USSN 2009/0000413, Giefer, U.S. Pat. No.8,413,536 and Seki, U.S. Pat. No. 8,359,943.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention discloses each of rotary and lever style shifterswhich can shift between each of Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive and Sportpositions (the latter providing higher RPM at lower speeds for such asperformance driving conditions) As will be further described below, thepresent design incorporates a DC motor and gear set for actuating a locklever between each of lock, unlock and return-to-Park functionality forestablishing both controlled shifting between the PRND positions as wellas automatic return to park functionality

Engagement between the DC motor and the lock lever gear occurs via apivoting lock lever assembly, such mounted to the housing, which isslaved to the motor, a lock lever, magnet and gear sub-assembly and suchthat, the lock lever engages a selected aperture location of the detentlocking wheel. A collection of biasing springs includes a torsionalspring for biasing the detent locking wheel relative to the outerhousing, and which is provided with a first extending spring leg lockedto the package supporting housing and an opposite spring leg biasing acircumferential location of the ratchet wheel.

In a normal shifting operation, the torsional (or return) spring isloaded between the detent locking wheel and housing and will cause theaffixed knob to be stopped by the housing at the Park and Drivepositions, shifting effort being generated by a pair of steel ballsbiased by coil springs integrated into extending portions of the plungerhousing subassembly and which are guided within inner perimeterextending detent surfaces in the outer fixed housing. This occursconcurrent with the adjustable torsional spring leg being continuouslyrepositioned (pushed over) adjoining ratchet teeth formed within anunderside surface of the detent locking wheel.

The lock lever sub-assembly, slaved to the DC motor, includes theprojecting lock plunger normally engaged with the selected shifter(Park) position defined aperture in the detent locking wheel in aforward most advanced position order to lock the detent wheel. Uponactuating the DC motor, the lock lever is actuated to a middle positionto unlock the plunger housing, which is then free to move out of thePark position. The lock lever is further actuated by the DC motor fromthe middle position to a rearward-most position, such as in response toa sensor triggering event, in order to release the detent lock wheel sothat the torsional spring automatically resets it to the Park position.The gear reduction ratio of the lock lever gear further permits asufficient actuation (insertion or retraction) force to be exerted onthe lock lever during retraction or resetting thereof, and in order toovercome any pre-loading torque resulting between the detent lockingwheel and lock lever (noting again that exerted by the torsionalspring).

A PCB board and related sensor are arranged in communication with amagnet mounted to an underside of a magnet holder integrated into theplunger housing subassembly. Rotation of the knob between each of thegear positions results in an arcuate sweeping motion of the magnetrelative to the sensor on the PCB and, upon the sensor detecting theposition of the magnet, confirming resetting of the Park position. Thisis controlled by the relative rotation between the knob and the endstopper which occurs upon the energization of the DC motor to retractthe lock lever from the detent locking wheel, at which point thetorsional spring counter rotates the stopper to the Park position.

The Park lock function further describes standard BTSI (braketransmission system interlock) functionality, which mechanically locksthe shifter knob in the Park position unless the driver presses thebrake pedal before shifting to any of the R, N and D positions. The BTSIaspect is integrated into the PCB to DC motor and lock lever gearcommunication protocol of the design, additionally and apart from itsreturn to park features.

A plurality of extraneous vehicle sensors are arranged throughout thevehicle in communication with the DC motor for determining a Park resettriggering condition, such determined to occur by the driver unlatchingthe seatbelt, exiting the vehicle by opening the door, etc., with thevehicle in gear. Once one of these conditions has been met, the givensensor instructs the DC motor to activate the motor gear in order tolinearly retract the lock lever, via the opposing threads establishedbetween the threaded interior aperture of the lock lever gear and theexterior mating threads of the middle portion of the elongated locklever which extends through the gear, resulting in disengagement of thetip of the lock lever from the outer toothed location of the detentlocking wheel in an energized/released condition.

Once the new Park position is established, and as confirmed by theproximity condition established between the magnet and holder via thePCB mounted sensor (such as which is understood further to be anysuitable type of inductive or magnetic Hall effect sensor), the DC motoris once again de-energized in order to counter-rotate the lock levergear, and consequently advance the lock lever for re-engaging with thePark position defined aperture in the detent locking wheel.

In this manner, both the BTSI and return to park functionality areintegrated into a simplified design consisting of a single DC motor withlock lever gear and extending lock lever subassembly, detent lockingwheel, return torsional spring which are incorporated into the biasedplunger housing subassembly and so that the plunger provides for normalshifting operation, with the detent locking wheel operating incombination with the DC motor and lock lever to provide return to parkfunctionality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made to the attached illustrations, when read incombination with the following detailed description, wherein likereference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views: andin which:

FIGS. 1A-1D present a series of perspective, top, side and end views ofa package housing associated with a rotary shifter according to a firstembodiment of the present invention and depicting a rotary knob whichcan shift between each of Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive gearpositions;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the rotary shifter package with autoreturn to park and park lock functionality according to one non-limitingvariant of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is an underside perspective of the PCB board, light pipes andpairs of LED elements;

FIG. 3 is an underside rotated perspective of the fixed position rotaryshifter and depicting the features of the detent locking wheel engagedby the solenoid and lock lever/lock plunger assembly with the Park lock(BTSI) function engaged;

FIG. 4 is a further enlarged and rotated perspective view of the locklever assembly including lock plunger engaged within a circumferentiallyarrayed window portion of the detent locking wheel, in turn torsionallyspring biased in ratchet fashion to the main housing body;

FIG. 5 is an illustration similar to FIG. 3 of the solenoid energized ina retracting and partially unlocking position relative to the detentlocking wheel, permitting the plunger housing to be rotated out of thePark position;

FIG. 6A is a further rotated and partial perspective view with thedetent locking wheel in partially transparent illustration still lockedby the lock plunger and FIG. 6B is an enlarged perspective of the lockplunger;

FIG. 7 is a further succeeding illustration of the mechanism from anunderside perspective in the position as substantially shown in FIG. 5(solenoid on and partially retracted) and depicting a first torsionalspring leg positioned against a circumferential underside ratchet teethlocation associated with the detent locking wheel;

FIG. 8 is a succeeding illustration to FIG. 7 and depicting the othertorsional spring leg locked against an outer circumferential undersidetoothed location of the housing surrounding the detent locking wheel forenabling ratchet style adjustment between each of the PRND positions;

FIG. 9 is a further illustration, similar to each of FIGS. 3, 5 and 7,depicting the lock plunger in a fully retracted position resulting inrelease of the detent locking wheel and rotation of the wheel togetherwith the knob to the Park position;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a lever style shifter according to afurther embodiment and which includes a reconfiguration of each of theshifter housing, plunger housing subassembly, lock lever assembly andsolenoid assembly;

FIGS. 11-14 present a series of perspective, top, side and end views ofa package housing associated with a rotary shifter according to a secondembodiment of the present invention and depicting a rotary knob whichcan shift between each of Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive gearpositions;

FIG. 15 is an exploded view of the rotary shifter package with autoreturn to park and park lock functionality according to the variant ofFIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is further enlarged and rotated perspective view of the locklever assembly including DC motor, motor gear and linearly actuatinglock lever depicted engaged within a circumferentially arrayed windowportion of the detent locking wheel, in turn torsionally spring biasedin ratchet fashion to the main housing body;

FIG. 17 is an illustration similar to FIG. 16 of the DC motor energizedin a retracting and partially unlocking position relative to the detentlocking wheel, permitting the plunger housing to be rotated out of thePark position;

FIG. 18 is a succeeding illustration to FIG. 17 illustrating the DCmotor, actuated by the sensor, further retracting the lock lever to afully retracted position, in which the tip of the lever is disengagedfrom the detent locking wheel, and prior to the torsional springrotating the plunger and locking wheel to the reset/Park position;

FIG. 19 is an illustration of the plunger housing locked in a neutralshifter position with the DC Motor driving the lock lever through thewindow of the detent locking wheel to its forward most position to lockthe plunger housing;

FIG. 20 is a perspective of the plunger housing according to theembodiment of FIGS. 11 et seq. and illustrating the engagement slots forboth the Park lock and Neutral Lock locations;

FIG. 21 is a succeeding illustration to FIG. 18 depicting the rotationof the plunger housing and wheel to the return to park position;

FIG. 22 is an illustration of a lever style shifter generally whichincludes a reconfiguration of each of the shifter housing, plungerhousing subassembly, lock lever assembly and solenoid assembly accordingto the embodiment of FIG. 10;

FIG. 23 is a yet further lever style shifter similar in respects to thatshown in FIG. 22 and depicting a DC motor gear box assembly and locklever in substitution for the solenoid arrangement of FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference now to FIGS. 1-9, the present invention discloses arotary shifter with auto return to park and park lock functionality.FIGS. 10 and 22 further illustrate related second lever style versionsof the shifter package according to another non-limiting variant of thepresent invention, and which again provides both auto return to park andpark lock features.

FIGS. 11-21 illustrate a further rotary shifter similar in respects toFIGS. 1-9 and substituting the solenoid and lock plunger arrangement infavor of a DC motor with motor gear which in turn actuates a linearlybi-directionally displaceable lock lever between the fullyinserted/engaged, intermediate withdrawn (shifter position adjustable)and sensor initiated and fully retracted (auto return to Park)functionality. Finally, FIG. 23 corresponds generally to FIG. 22 andteaches a related variant of the shifter mechanism of FIG. 22 with a DCmotor gear box assembly in substitution for the solenoid actuatedassembly.

Referring first to FIGS. 1A-1D, illustrated are a series of perspective,top, side and end views of a package housing, generally at 10,associated with a rotary shifter according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention, and depicting a rotary knob 12 which can shiftbetween each of Park, Reverse, Neutral, and Drive gear positions. Theshifter assembly includes a main package defining and three dimensionalrectangular shaped housing 14 over which is attached a bezel cover 16,and within which is depicted each of the PRND positions. Although notclearly shown, the bezel cover further includes an annular openingdefined within and which provides a receiving access to the features ofthe rotary knob subassembly as will be further described.

The package housing 14, best depicted in the solid underside rotatedviews of FIGS. 7-8, includes an open interior having a cavity (see at18) for supporting the solenoid and lock lever assemblies as will bedescribed in further detail below. A circumferentially extending innerextending divider wall is shown at 20, segregated to a side of the mainhousing 14, and which separates the solenoid and lock lever assemblysupporting cavity from a further inner cavity defined by a receivingprofile for receiving a sleeve shaped detent locking wheel 22. Thelocking wheel 22 underside is configured with a circumferential array ofserrated or angled edge locations 24, these being in the form ofsuccessive extending ramps and being arranged coaxially interiorlyrelative to a surrounding plurality of recessed seating locationsarranged in alternating fashion with a plurality of teethed portions 26which are configured in the outer coaxial and circumferential endsurface profile of the divider wall 20 (see in particular FIGS. 3, 5, 7and 8). As best shown in each of FIGS. 3-6, a plurality of windowdefining apertures 28 are configured in circumferential spaced fashionthrough the annular side wall of the detent locking wheel 22, these forengaging the lock lever assembly plunger as will be subsequentlydescribed.

As will be further described, the circumferential overlappingarrangement of the outer coaxial teethed portions 26 and inner ramped 24surfaces establishes a plurality of successive ratchet teeth, thesecontrolling successive rotation of the knob 12 and plunger housingsubassembly, via an interposed torsional spring 31. A generallycylindrical shaped plunger housing is depicted at 30 associated with therotary knob 12 subassembly is provided and includes a pair of lower andopposite and radial projecting guiding portions 32 and 34, these beinginteriorly hollowed for receiving a pair of opposing steel balls (one ofwhich is shown at 36 in FIG. 4) and supporting detent springs (suchbeing coil springs which are installed within the open ends of theradial projecting and guiding portions and which bias the bearings orballs outwardly from the open ends of the portions 32/34, it beingfurther understood that the diameter of the open ends of the radialplunger housing portions are sized to permit a minor portion of thebearings to project outwardly from the open ends, with the largestdiameters being retained in an inner annular edge contact with interiorof the portions). Although not clearly shown, the radial projectingguiding portions 32 and 34 align with an inwardly facing detent profileassociated with the detent wheel interior, the outwardly influencedsteel balls supported within the open interior of the radial portionsinteracting in tactile induced fashion with the detent profile edgesdefined within the detent wheel in order to establish guided rotation ofthe knob 12.

A torsional return spring 31 (see FIG. 2) includes a first extending leg33 (see FIG. 7) biased against the underside ramped ratchet teeth 24 ofthe detent locking wheel, with a second extending leg 35 (FIG. 8)engaged to a recessed location of the circumferential underside seatingprofile which is situated between successive teethed locations 26. Aswill be further described, the return spring enables selected controlledadjustment between the PRND positions (such as when the brake pedal isdepressed and the Park lock or BTSI function is disabled, with springoperating in concert with the solenoid, lock plunger and detent lockingwheel in an automatic return to park situation as instructed by theexterior sensors and PCB.

The rotary knob 12 includes an extending shaft or stem portion 38receiving an underside knob seal 39 affixing within an open upper riminterior 41 of the plunger housing 12. Upon the bezel cover 16 beingmounted atop the main packaging housing 12, and the plunger housing 30being mounted through the bezel cover opening 16 and into the mainpackage housing 12 (with the knob underside ledge surrounding the sealsupported upon the annular rim of the bezel cover and surrounding theopening, the radial projecting portions 32/34 are received coaxiallywithin the circumferential stepped underside profile 26 of the housingalign with the inwardly facing detent profile surfaces to facilitatetactile engagement of the knob 12 and plunger housing 30.

As further shown in FIG. 2, a printed circuit board (PCB) 40 is locatedat the generally bottom of the package interior, secured by screws (notshown) with a bottom cover 42 supported underneath the PCB 40, and whichin turn mates with an underside outer rectangular rim edge (see also at44 in FIG. 3) of the main housing 12. A plurality of outer and upwardlyprojecting tabs 45 extend from the edges of the bottom cover 42 and seatwithin receiving windows 47 configured into the lower edge side and endwalls of the main housing body to assist in assembling the packagetogether. Separate screws 43 can be provided for extending throughaligning mounting apertures in the PCB 40 and the bottom cover 42 (seeagain FIG. 2) to assist in assembling together the package housing. Asfurther shown, the outer package housing 14 can include peripheralmounting tabs or portions extending in spaced apart fashion around themain housing (see at 46 in FIG. 1B) for mounting the overall assemblywithin a vehicle environment.

An underside surface of the plunger housing 30 integrates a magnetholder 48 such containing a magnet 49 within a hidden underside thereofand which, upon rotating the plunger housing 30 relative to the mainpackage housing 14 and as guided by the internal detent profile (coaxialsurfaces 24 and 26), causes the magnet 49 to travel in an arc motionrelative to the PCB mounted sensor, resulting in adjustment of amagnetic field sensed by a position sensor within the PCB board 40, suchas which is understood further to be any suitable type of inductive ormagnetic Hall effect sensor, in order to detect a rotated knob position.

A plurality of light pipes are provided and include each Park, Reverse,Neutral and Drive gear position light pipes, see at 50, 52, 54 and 56 inFIG. 2. A Sport gear position light pipe is further shown at 58 incombination with a surface “S” button fitting 60 integrated into theknob 12 and a further “S” button push pad 62 located at a bottom end ofthe “S” gear position light pipe 58.

Each of the light pipes 50-58 (FIG. 2) are supported within the packagehousing so that bottom open ends are in communication with individualpairs of LED's (see further at 51, 53, 55, 57 and 59, respectively forlights pipes 50, 52, 54, 56 and 58 in the underside perspective of FIG.2A) integrated into the PCB board 44. The pairing of the LED's providesone each for backlighting and gear indication respectively for eachshifter position. Reference is also made to the illuminating RNDSlocations (see at 64, 66, 68 and 70) formed into the top bezel cover 16in FIGS. 1A-B and in addition to the “S” position designated on button60 seated within the inner annular aperture profile of the knob 12.

The present design incorporates a solenoid assembly, see at 72, which aspreviously indicated is supported within the interior of the housing 14adjacent to the circumferential seating profile 26 for supporting thedetent locking wheel 22. The solenoid 72 is provided with power from anexternal force and includes a linear extending (and power retracting)portion 74 which is engaged to a location 75 of an elongated andirregular shaped lock lever assembly 76, this in turn pivotallysupported at a location 78 to an interior location of the main packagehousing 14.

A torsion spring 80 (see as bests shown in FIGS. 3-4) is mounted to theannular pedestal shape defining the pivotal supporting location 78 ofthe lock lever assembly, such that a first leg 82 of the spring biasesagainst an interior abutting location of the housing 14 and a second leg84 against a projecting location 88 of the lock lever assembly 76 inorder to bias the same in a direction towards the detent locking wheel22 (see also directional arrows in FIGS. 3 and 5). The lock leverassembly includes a lock plunger 90 (see as best shown in FIGS. 4-6)which is received at an extended location of the lock lever assembly 76positioned between the inner pivoting end 78 and a remote extending end92 (see FIG. 4). A noise damper 0-ring 96 is further provided on theextending end 92 of the lock lever assembly 76.

As best shown in FIG. 4, the lock plunger 90 is received between a pairof crosswise projecting shoulders 98 and 100 configured upon the locklever assembly 76 and which define a pin inserting crosswise pivot axis102. The lock plunger 90, again in FIGS. 6A and 6B, includes a rounded103 base profile with aperture 104 for seating the pin associated withthe pivot axis 102. Limited pivoting of the lock plunger 90 relative tothe lock lever assembly 76 is facilitated by a secondary spring 105(again FIG. 4). The lock plunger 90 includes an outermost projectingedge abutment 106 and, as will be described, is retained in contact withan edge (at 107 in FIG. 6A) of a selected perimeter window 28 of thedetent locking wheel 22, following partial retraction from the fullyPark position locked position (FIGS. 3-4) in which the lock plungerrestrains both the detent locking wheel 22 and the plunger housingsubassembly 30, to an intermediate retracted position (FIGS. 5-8) inwhich the plunger subassembly 30 is released for controlled shiftingagainst the still fixed detent locking wheel 22 via the partial engagingposition of the lock plunger 90 (with extending lip edge or step 106gripping the projecting edge location 107 as again shown in FIG. 6A ofthe detent locking wheel window) and, finally, (FIG. 9) with the lockplunger 90 pivoted against the crosswise pivoting holding force of thetertiary spring 105 for permitting the plunger lip edge 106 to releasefrom the detent locking wheel window 28 in a return to park resetcondition.

Engagement between the solenoid 72 and the detent locking wheel 22occurs via the pivoting lock lever assembly 76 (mounted to the housingagain at 78) and which is slaved to the solenoid. The lock plunger 90projects from the lever assembly 76 such that, in a de-energizedsolenoid condition (FIGS. 3-4), the lock plunger 90 engages a selectedaperture location 28 of the detent locking wheel 22. In a normalshifting operation, the torsional (return) spring 31 is loaded betweenthe detent locking wheel 22 (via extending spring leg 33 in FIG. 7) andhousing 14 (via extending spring leg 35 in FIG. 8) and will cause theaffixed knob 12 to be stopped by the at the Park and Drive positions,shifting effort being generated by the pair of steel balls 36 biased bythe internal coil springs integrated into extending portions 32/34 ofthe plunger housing subassembly 30, and which are guided within innerperimeter extending detent or toothed surfaces defined by the coaxiallysupporting outer profile 26 in the outer fixed package housing. Thisoccurs concurrent with the adjustable torsional spring leg 33 beingcontinuously repositioned (pushed over) adjoining the adjoining rampedratchet teeth 24 formed within the underside surface of the detentlocking wheel 22.

The lock lever assembly 76, again slaved to the solenoid 72, ispivotally mounted to the housing 14 and biased by the further torsionalspring 80 in a direction towards the detent locking wheel 22 (again FIG.3). The lock plunger 90 is in turn supported upon the lock leverassembly 76 in the limited pivoting fashion via the smaller and tertiaryspring 105 (FIG. 4) and, in combination with the catch ledge 106configured into the forward most edge of the lock plunger, provides thelimited range of motion between projecting/engaged (FIGS. 3-4) andpartially retracted/released (FIGS. 5-8) positions relative to aselected circumferentially arrayed window 28 associated with the outerannular wall of the detent locking wheel 22, and further so that thisouter ledge or step 106 prevents the lock plunger 90 from retractingbeyond a distance necessary to afford spring biased return to parkrotation of the detent locking wheel 22. FIG. 9 represents the lockplunger 90 fully disengaged from the detent locking wheel 22 (such asupon deflection of the lock plunger 90 about the crosswise pivot axis102 of FIG. 4 and against the holding force of the tertiary spring 105(see also directional arrow 103 of the lock plunger 90 about pivot 102)and in order to allow the wheel 22 to rotated the knob/plunger back tothe Park position.

The PCB board 40 and related sensors are arranged in communication withthe arcuately and rotatably displaceable magnet 49 (see again as shownin each of succeeding underside views of FIGS. 3-9) and outer holder 48.Travel of the magnet holder 48 and off center and arc motion supportedmagnet 49, relative to the sensor supported upon the PCB 40, confirmsresetting of the Park position and is controlled by the relativerotation between the knob 12 and the end stopper, which occurs upon theenergization of the solenoid 72 to cause the lock lever 76 and lockplunger 90 to a release/retracted position relative to the detentlocking wheel (again via the lock plunger and pivoting lock leverassembly), at which the torsional spring 31 counter rotates the assemblyto the Park position.

As previously described, the Park lock function further describesstandard BTSI (brake transmission system interlock) functionality, whichmechanically locks the shifter knob 12 in the Park position unless thedriver presses the brake pedal before shifting to any of the R, N and Dpositions. The BTSI aspect is integrated into the PCB 40 to solenoidcommunication protocol of the design, additionally and apart from itsreturn to park features.

A plurality of extraneous vehicle sensors are arranged throughout thevehicle in communication with the solenoid for determining a Park resettriggering condition, such determined to occur by the driver unlatchingthe seatbelt, exiting the vehicle by opening the door, etc., with thevehicle in gear. Once one of these conditions has been met, the givensensor instructs the solenoid to retract the lock plunger fromengagement with the outer toothed location of the detent locking wheelin an energized/released condition.

Once the new Park position is established, and as confirmed by theproximity condition established between the magnet and holder via thePCB mounted sensor (such as which is understood further to be anysuitable type of inductive or magnetic Hall effect sensor which isintegrated into the interface established between the magnet holder 48and the opposing PCB surface), the solenoid 72 is once againde-energized in order to permit the extending portion 72 to extendconcurrent with the biasing force of the torsional spring 80 pushing thelock lever assembly 76 and crosswise supported lock plunger 90 toreengage the selected window 28 configured into the detent locking wheel22.

In this manner, both the BTSI and return to park functionality areintegrated into a simplified design consisting of a single solenoid,detent locking wheel, return torsional spring and interposed lock leverwhich are incorporated into the biased plunger housing subassembly andso that the plunger provides for normal shifting operation, with thedetent locking wheel operating in combination with the solenoid and lockplunger to provide return to park functionality. Furthermore, theability to utilize the auto return to park rotary shifter with therotary end stopper disk, solenoid, and torsional spring (in contrast tothe arrangement of multiple motors or solenoids associated with fixedposition rotary shifters) provides a much more simplified and reliabledesign for ensuring a return to Park condition.

Summarizing the operating protocol of the present assembly, FIGS. 3-4again illustrated the solenoid deactivated and with the lock leverassembly supported plunger in a fully engaged position within a selectedwindow 28 of the detent locking wheel 22. In this position, the Parklock (BTSI) mechanism is engaged and the vehicle is locked in the Parkposition by virtue of the lock plunger 90 engaging both the detentlocking wheel 22 through a selected perimeter extending window 28 andfurther engaging the abutment location (see at 29 in FIG. 5) of theplunger housing subassembly 30.

FIGS. 5-6 subsequently illustrate the solenoid 72 in an energized statein which the lock plunger 90, via the lock lever assembly 76 and theretracting force of the solenoid extension 74 overcomes the biasingforces of the spring 80, causing the plunger to be partially retractedout of contact with the stop location 29 of the inner rotatablesupported plunger housing 30. The extending lip edge 106 of the lockplunger remains in engaging contact with the detent locking wheel window28 such that, in normal shifting operation as depicted in FIGS. 7-8, theplunger housing subassembly 30 and slaved knob 12 are permitted toadjust the shifter between each of the PRND (and S) positions. In thiscondition, the return spring 31 is loaded between the detent lockingwheel (transitioning leg 33) and housing (fixed leg 35) withtransitioning between the shifter positions occurring as previouslydescribed. Due to the architecture of the package housing interior 14,the knob 12 is limited to rotation between the Park and Drive positions,with shifting effort generated by the bearings or balls (36) and thehidden springs incorporated into the radial projecting portions 32/34 ofthe plunger housing subassembly 30.

FIG. 9 further depicts the fully released position in which the lockplunger 90 is fully retracted from the associated engaging window 28 ofthe detent locking wheel 22 (again via cross pivoting along directionalarrow 103 about pin axis 102 and against the tertiary holding force ofthe spring 105), such in response to the PCB 40 being notified by anexternal sensor of a reset condition (resulting again from arc rotationof the magnet 49 relative to the PCB mounted sensor) such as resultingfrom the driver preparing to exit the vehicle without having previouslyrotated the knob into the Park position. In this condition, the solenoidis powered to the on condition and the plunger fully retracted from thedetent locking wheel 22 resulting in the torsion spring 31 (via oppositebiasing legs 33 and 35) rotating the wheel 22 and supported knob 12 andplunger housing subassembly 30 to the Park position.

Finally, FIG. 10 is an illustration, generally at 110, of a lever stylefixed position rotary shifter with auto return to park and park lockfunctionality. As compared to the knob style rotary shifter of FIGS.1-9, the lever style package 110 operates in a functionally similarfashion and includes a shifter housing 112 (shown in split half shellwith an open interior) and which, similar to the rotary knob packagehousing 14, includes an arcuate and substantially perimeter extendingand supporting profile 114 which coaxially seats a reconfiguration ofthe detent locking wheel 116 including a plurality of perimeter spacedwindows 118 configured therein.

A lock lever assembly 120 is provided which is pivotally supported (atlocation 122) within an adjacent interior location of the housing 112outside of the support profile 114. A solenoid assembly 124 is supportedwithin the housing 112 and includes an extensible end 126 which ispivotally slaved, at 128 to an arm 121 extending to the pivot location122 of the lever assembly 120 and so that the arm 121 is angularlyoffset from the lock lever assembly 120.

As further shown, a portion of the lock lever assembly 120 extends fromthe intermediate pivotal support location 122 in a direction generallyopposite from the solenoid slaved location 126 and terminates in acrosswise extending lock plunger 130. As with the prior embodiment, thelock plunger 130 can be supported in a crosswise pin rotating fashion,see at 132, and can also include any type of tertiary biasing spring(such as depicted at 105 in the preceding lock plunger 90 of FIG. 6) tomaintain an extending portion of the plunger 130 into contact throughthe selected window 118 of the detent locking wheel.

A plunger housing subassembly 134 is rotatable supported within thedetent locking wheel 116, the subassembly 134 being functionally similarto that previously described at 30 and including a pair of oppositeradial extending wings or portions 136/138 relative to a center rotatingaxis 140 for supporting the subassembly 134 within the housing 112. Theplunger housing subassembly includes a similar arrangement of springbiased balls or bearings (not shown) which are supported at open ends ofthe extending portions 136/138 and in order to provide iterativeshifting between PRND positions.

A shifter lever 142 extends from a central receiving pocket 144 of theplunger housing subassembly 134 and through a slot configured into anupper edge of the shifter housing 112 (such as further established bymating halves of the housing) for accommodating each of the PRNDpositions. A return spring (a portion of which is shown at 146) isprovided and operates under a similar principal as that depicted at 31in the preceding embodiment for controlling controlled adjustment andreturn to park reset of the detent locking wheel 116 and supportedshifter lever/plunger housing subassembly relative to the outer shifterhousing 112.

Operation of the lever style shifter 110 operates under similarprinciples to the rotary knob style shifter 10, with the lock plunger130 being in a fully engaged (solenoid de-energized) position in whichthe plunger extends through the detent locking wheel 116 and selectedperimeter window 118 into an abutment engagement (substantiallyobscured) with the plunger housing subassembly 134. Initial energizationof the solenoid 124 results in partial retraction of the extendingportion 126 to partially pivot the lock plunger 130 out of engagementwith the plunger housing subassembly 134, allowing normal shiftingoperation in which the subassembly 134 is permitted to pivot between thePRND positions relative to the fixed detent locking wheel 116.

A similar PCB, magnet and sensor arrangement (not shown) is provided inthe lever style embodiment 110 and, upon triggering a reset event,instructs the solenoid 124 to fully retract the lock plunger 130 fromthe detent locking wheel 116, at which the return spring 146 biases thewheel 116 to rotate to a Park reset condition relative to the outershifter housing 112. In this manner, the rotary knob variant of FIGS.1-9 is reconfigured as a straight gate shifter as described in FIG. 10.

FIG. 22 is an illustration of a lever style shifter generallyrepresenting the DC motor, generally at 150 according to yet furtherembodiment and which includes a reconfiguration of each of the shifterhousing, plunger housing subassembly, lock lever assembly and solenoidassembly according to the embodiment of FIG. 10. Specifically, thesolenoid 124 of FIG. 10 is reconfigured as shown at 152 and is supportedwithin a housing 154 and includes an extensible end 156 which ispivotally slaved, at 158 to an arm 160 extending to a pivot location 162of the lever assembly and so that the arm 160 is angularly offset froman angularly extending lock lever assembly 164.

As further shown, a portion of the lock lever assembly 164 extends fromthe intermediate pivotal support location 162 in a direction generallyopposite from the solenoid slaved location 156 and terminates in acrosswise extending lock plunger 166. As with the prior variant of FIG.10, the lock plunger can be pivotally supported and can also include anytype of tertiary biasing spring (as depicted at 105 in the precedinglock plunger 90 of FIG. 6) to maintain an extending portion of theplunger into contact through a selected window of a reconfiguration 168detent locking wheel.

A redesign of the plunger housing subassembly, at 170, is rotatablysupported within the detent locking wheel 168, the plunger housingsubassembly being functionally similar to that previously described andincluding a pair of opposite radial extending wings or portions 172/174relative to a center rotating axis 176 for supporting the subassemblywithin the housing 154. The plunger housing subassembly includes asimilar arrangement of spring biased balls or bearings (not shown) whichare supported at open ends of the extending portions 172/174 and inorder to provide iterative shifting between PRND positions.

A shifter lever 178 extends from a central receiving pocket 180 of theplunger housing subassembly and through a slot configured into an upperedge of the shifter housing (such as further established by matinghalves of the housing) for accommodating each of the PRND positions. Areturn spring (a portion of which is shown at 182) is provided andoperates under a similar principal as that previously depicted in thepreceding embodiment for controlling controlled adjustment and return topark reset of the detent locking wheel 168 and supported shifterlever/plunger housing subassembly relative to the outer shifter housing.A further torsional spring 184 is depicted in the open cutaway of FIG.22 and biases and opposite ends 186 and 188, respectively, to each ofthe shifter lever 178 and the plunger housing subassembly 170.

As described previously in FIG. 10, operation of the lever style shifter150 operates under similar principles to the rotary knob style shifter10, with the lock plunger 166 being in a fully engaged (solenoidde-energized) position in which the plunger extends through the detentlocking wheel 168 and selected perimeter window into an abutmentengagement (substantially obscured) with the plunger housing subassembly170. Initial energization of the solenoid 152 results in partialretraction of the extending portion 156 to partially pivot the lockplunger 166 out of engagement with the plunger housing subassembly 170,allowing normal shifting operation in which the subassembly is permittedto pivot between the PRND positions relative to the fixed detent lockingwheel 168.

Referencing now FIGS. 11-21 in combination, a rotary shifter assembly ispresented which is similar in many respects to that collectivelydepicted in FIGS. 1-9, with the exception that the solenoid and plungerassembly of the initial embodiment is substituted by an electric motor,such as a DC motor and associated driving lock mechanism for the purposeof displacing an extending lock lever relative to the detent lockingwheel and associated plunger housing between fully engaged (Parkposition locked or Neutral position locked), partially retracted (shiftposition permitting) and fully retracted (sensor initiated and autoreturn to Park) positions. With reference to the following disclosure,the preferred embodiment illustrated teaches a DC electric motor drive,with the understanding that other embodiments of electric motor andassociated drive linkage can also be substituted.

FIGS. 11-14 present a series of perspective, top, side and end views ofa package housing associated with a rotary shifter according to a secondembodiment (at 200 in FIG. 11) of the present invention and depicting arotary knob which can shift between each of Park, Reverse, Neutral, andDrive gear positions. In the following discussion of FIGS. 11-21, commonfeatures such as the PC board, lighting pipes and other supportingstructure remain as previously described in the initial rotary shifterembodiment and, where appropriate, will be repetitively referenced andillustrated.

As with the initial variant of FIGS. 1A-1D, FIGS. 11-14 illustrate aseries of perspective, top, side and end views of the package housing200 associated with a rotary shifter according to the furthernon-limiting embodiment of the present invention, and depicting a rotaryknob 202 which can shift between each of identified Park 204, Reverse206, Neutral 208, and Drive 210 gear positions. A central push buttonportion 212 is also provided and includes a further Sport positiondesignation 214.

As with the initial variant 10, the shifter assembly includes a mainpackage defining and three dimensional rectangular shaped housing 216over which is attached a bezel cover 218, such as via corner screws 219.Although not clearly shown, the bezel cover further includes an annularopening defined within and which provides a receiving access for seatingupon the cover the rotary knob 202, such as which is further illustratedwith a knurled perimeter extending side edge 220.

The rectangular three dimensional and package defining housing 216,again includes an open interior having a cavity for supporting thevarious components of the shifter 200. As depicted in the initialvariant of the housing 14 (see also interior defined circumferentialseparating wall 20 in FIGS. 7-8) can be provided which separates the DCmotor and associated gearing and lock lever features described belowfrom a further inner cavity defined by a receiving profile for receivingeach of a plunger housing subassembly 221 and a sleeve shaped detentlocking wheel, see at 222 in FIG. 15.

As with the preceding embodiment, the locking wheel 222 underside isconfigured with a circumferential array of serrated or angled edgelocations 224, these being in the form of successive extending ramps andbeing arranged coaxially interiorly relative to a surrounding pluralityof recessed seating locations arranged in alternating fashion with aplurality of teethed portions which are configured in the outer coaxialand circumferential end surface profile of the divider wall (see againteethed portions 26 in FIGS. 3, 5, 7 and 8). A plurality of windowdefining apertures 226 are configured in circumferential spaced fashionthrough the annular side wall of the detent locking wheel 222, these forengaging the lock lever assembly plunger as will be subsequentlydescribed.

The plunger housing is again depicted at 221 and includes a generallycylindrical shaped housing associated with the rotary knob 220. As withthe plunger housing 30 of the first embodiment, the plunger housing 221includes a pair of lower and opposite and radial projecting guidingportions, one of which is depicted at 228 in FIG. 15 and a pair of whichare further shown at 228/229 in the underside perspective of the plungerhousing 221 in FIG. 20, these again being interiorly hollowed forreceiving a pair of opposing steel balls (see at 230 with referenceagain being made to the previous embodiment with one shown at 36 in FIG.4) and interior supporting detent springs (such being coil springs whichare installed within the open ends of the radial projecting and guidingportions and which bias the bearings or balls 230 outwardly from theopen ends of the portions.

As with the previous described embodiment, it is again understood thatthe diameter of the open ends of the radial plunger housing portions aresized to permit a minor portion of the bearings to project outwardlyfrom the open ends, with the largest diameters being retained in aninner annular edge contact with interior of the portions. Although notclearly shown, the radial projecting guiding portions align with aninwardly facing detent profile associated with the detent wheel 222interior, the outwardly influenced steel balls supported within the openinterior of the radial portions interacting in tactile induced fashionwith the detent profile edges defined within the detent wheel in orderto establish guided rotation of the knob 220.

As further shown in the rotated underside of FIG. 20, the plungerhousing 221 includes a pair of slots identified at 223 and 225, andwhich correspond to engagement positions for each of a Park positionlock and Neutral position lock in association with the DC motor driveand associated lever lock to be described below. As previouslydescribed, a Park or Neutral lock function occurs when the lock leverengages both the detent locking wheel and the plunger housingsubassembly preventing shifting between gear positions.

Also shown is a central through aperture 227 which receives the verticaltravel of the sport position button 214 in similar fashion as to thatillustrated in FIG. 2 and described in the first embodiment 10. Acylindrical superstructure 231 of the plunger housing 221 includes aplurality of circumferentially spaced side embossments 233, thesedefining a shoulder for supporting the main torsional spring 232.

A torsional return spring 232 (see FIG. 15) includes a first extendingleg 234 biased against the underside ramped ratchet teeth of the detentlocking wheel (see also FIG. 16), with a second extending leg 236engaged to a recessed location of the circumferential underside seatingprofile which is situated between successive teethed locations (again aspreviously illustrated at 26 in FIGS. 7-8 in relation to thecircumferential dividing interior wall of the enclosure as shown in theinitial embodiment). As will be further described, the return springenables selected controlled adjustment between the PRND positions (suchas when the brake pedal is depressed and the Park lock or BTSI functionis disabled, with spring operating in concert with the solenoid, lockplunger and detent locking wheel in an automatic return to parksituation as instructed by the exterior sensors and PCB.

The rotary knob 220 includes an extending shaft or stem portion (notshown but similar to that depicted at 38 in FIG. 2) for receiving anunderside knob seal affixing within an open upper rim interior of theplunger housing 31. Upon the bezel cover 218 being mounted atop the mainpackaging housing 216, and the plunger housing 231 being mounted throughthe bezel cover opening and into the main package housing (with the knobunderside ledge surrounding the seal supported upon the annular rim ofthe bezel cover and surrounding the opening, the radial projectingportions (e.g. at 230) of the plunger housing 221 are received coaxiallywithin the circumferential stepped underside profile (again at 26 in thefirst embodiment) of the housing and align with the inwardly facingdetent profile surfaces to facilitate tactile engagement of the knob 220and plunger housing 221.

A printed circuit board (PCB) 238 corresponds to that previously shownat 40 in FIG. 2 and is located at the generally bottom of the packageinterior, secured by screws (not shown) with a bottom cover 240supported underneath the PCB 238, and which in turn mates with anunderside outer rectangular rim edge (hidden in FIG. 15 but similar tothat previously depicted at 44 in FIG. 3) of the main housing 216. Aplurality of outer and upwardly projecting tabs 242 extend from theedges of the bottom cover 240 and seat within corner recessed notices244 configured into the lower edge side and end walls of the mainhousing body to assist in assembling the package together. Separatescrews can be provided for extending through aligning mounting aperturesin the PCB 238 and the bottom cover 240 to assist in assembling togetherthe package housing. As previously described in reference to thepreceding embodiment 10, the outer package housing 216 can includeperipheral mounting tabs or portions extending in spaced apart fashionaround the main housing for mounting the overall assembly within avehicle environment.

An underside surface of the plunger housing 221 integrates a magnetholder 227 (see again FIGS. 15 along with FIG. 20) such containing amagnet (reference again to that previously shown at 49) within a hiddenunderside thereof and which, upon rotating the plunger housing 221relative to the main package housing 216 and as guided by the opposingcoaxial and internal detent profile, causing the magnet (againpreviously shown at 49) to travel in an arc motion relative to the PCBmounted sensor, resulting in adjustment of a magnetic field sensed by aposition sensor within the PCB board 238, such as which is understoodfurther to be any suitable type of inductive or magnetic Hall effectsensor, in order to detect a rotated knob position.

For purposes of ease of illustration, not shown in the exploded view ofFIG. 15 and the succeeding illustrations of FIGS. 16-21 is thearrangement of the light pipes 50-56 in the first embodiment (see againFIGS. 2-2A), with the understanding that a similar arrangement isprovided in the further embodiment 200 of the rotary shifter.

The current rotary shifter design 200 differs most notably from theoriginal variant 10 in that it substitutes the solenoid (see at 72 inFIG. 2), lock lever (76) and plunger assembly (90), and relatedcomponents, with a DC motor 246 for selectively retracting or extendinga redesigned and elongated lock lever 248. A motor unit retainer 250 isprovided in the form of a support plate or bracket and which is securedwithin the interior of the package defining housing 216 in a manner inwhich it positions an output drive shaft 252 with exterior teethed array254 in meshing alignment with a further set of teeth 256 associated witha motor engaging transfer gear 258.

The lock lever again includes a forward most projecting portion 248(this typically being circular in cross section) is the lock leverfurther includes an elongated body 260 (FIG. 15) which includesintermediate worm gear threads 262. The transfer gear 258 is stationaryrotatably supported within the housing interior and includes a middleinterior apertures (see at 264 in FIG. 16) which is interiorly threaded(not shown) such that rotation of the lock lever transfer gear by the DCmotor 246 is transferred to the worm gear threads 262 configured uponthe elongated intermediate body 260 of the lock lever, thereby advancingor retracting the forward most tip 248 of the lock lever relative to theselected window apertures 226 associated with the detent locking wheel222 or the Park lock 223/Neutral lock 225 receiving slots associatedwith the plunger housing 221.

As will be described, the Park lock function (slot 223 of plungerhousing 221) allows the driver to shift out of the Park position whenthe brake pedal (not shown) is depressed. The present design can alsolock the shifter 200 in the Neutral position (slot 225) under certainconditions (e.g. such as to permit towing the vehicle). A downwardprojection 266 of the lock lever body 260 terminates in a lock levermagnet 268, the position of which is detected by a Hall effect of likesensor incorporated into the PCB board 238 during the activation of theDC motor back to the reset/return to park position.

Referencing FIG. 16, a further enlarged and rotated perspective view isshown of the lock lever assembly including DC motor 246, motor gear 258and linearly actuating lock lever 260 depicted engaged within acircumferentially arrayed window 226 of the detent locking wheel, inturn torsionally spring biased in ratchet fashion to the main housingbody.

FIG. 17 is an illustration similar to FIG. 16 of the DC motor 246energized in a retracting and partially unlocking position the tip ofthe lock lever (see at position 248′) relative to the detent lockingwheel 222, permitting the plunger housing 221 to be rotated out of thePark position (see phantom position 204). In this middle position, theshifter can be normally operated between positions 204, 206, 208, 210and 214 (Sport) in a manner consistent with the previous description. Asalso described, the reduction gear ratio afforded by the DC motor tomotor gear teethed profiles (254 to 256) provides an enhanced level ofpush/pull force as opposed to that provided by the solenoid variant(shifter 10 of FIG. 1) and so that any resident pre-loading forcesresulting from the torsional spring 232 may be overcome.

FIG. 18 is a succeeding illustration to FIG. 17 illustrating the DCmotor 246, actuated by such as the Hall effect sensor on the PC board238, further retracting the lock lever to a fully retracted position(see position 248″), in which the tip of the lock lever is showndisengaged from the detent locking wheel 222, and prior to the torsionalspring 232 rotating the plunger 221 and locking wheel to the reset/Parkposition.

FIG. 19 is an illustration of the plunger housing locked in a neutralshifter position (see slot position 225 of plunger housing 221 in FIG.20) with the DC Motor 246 driving the lock lever (main body 260 and tip262) back through the window of the detent locking wheel to its forwardmost position to lock the plunger housing.

FIG. 21 is a succeeding illustration to FIG. 18 depicting the rotationof the plunger housing 221 and wheel 222 to the return to park position.As previously described, this can occur upon the driver preparing toexit the vehicle without rotating the knob into the Park position, asignal to the PC board causes the DC motor to activate to rotate thelock lever to the fully disengaged position, the torsional spring 232thus being activated to return the plunger housing detent locking wheelto the return to Park position.

Finally, FIG. 23 is a yet further lever style shifter, generally at 300,which similar in respects to that shown in FIG. 22 and depicting aredesign of the DC motor gear box 302 assembly and an end projectingportion 304 of a lock lever in substitution for the solenoid arrangementof FIG. 22. The redesign of the lever style shifter is functionallysimilar to that shown in FIG. 22 and, in this instance, includes asemicircular plate 306 supported within a variant 168′ of the detentlocking wheel.

Not shown is a retracting portion of the lock lever which is driven bythe actuation of the DC motor gear box assembly 302, this operating in asimilar fashion as that previously described and resulting in the locklever 304 being retracted out of engagement with a corner notch 308 ofthe plate 306, whereupon the associated torsional spring (see variant ofextending leg 182′) causes the redesign plunger plate 306 and lockingwheel 168′ to reset to the Park position. The remaining featuresdepicted in FIG. 23 generally overlap those of previously described FIG.22 so that a repetitive description is not necessary.

Having described our invention, other and additional embodiments willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains, andwithout deviating from the scope of the appended claims:

We claim:
 1. A shifter assembly, comprising: a housing supporting adetent locking wheel; a return spring biasing said detent locking wheelin a rotational direction relative to said housing; a plunger housingrotatably supported within said detent locking wheel and operating inresponse to an external input to be rotated between each of Park,Reverse, Neutral and Drive gear shift positions; an electric motorsupported by said housing and communicating with a lock lever inproximity to said detent locking wheel, an extending portion of saidlock lever engaging said detent locking wheel; a PCB board integratedinto said housing and communicable with at least one sensor associatedwith a driver exit condition; and upon a triggering of said exitcondition with said shifter in other than a Park position, said motorbeing energized to retract said lock lever to permit said return springto rotate said wheel to the Park position.
 2. The shifter assembly asdescribed in claim 1, said plunger housing further comprising a locationfor engagement by said lock lever in a Park lock function in which saidlock lever engages both said detent locking wheel and said plungerhousing preventing shifting between gear positions.
 3. The shifterassembly as described in claim 2, further comprising another location insaid plunger housing defining a Neutral lock function in which said locklever engages both said detent locking wheel and said plunger housingpreventing shifting between gear positions.
 4. The shifter assembly asdescribed in claim 1, said electric motor further comprising a DC motor.5. The shifter assembly as described in claim 1, further comprising atransfer gear for communicating a rotating output of said electric motorto said lock lever.
 6. The shifter assembly as described in claim 5,said transfer gear further comprising a central interiorly threadedaperture, said lock lever further comprising an elongated member withworm gear threads extending along an intermediate range thereof whichare meshingly engaged through said central aperture so that rotation ofsaid transfer gear is translated linearly to said lock lever.
 7. Theshifter as described in claim 1, further comprising a bezel coverapplied over an open interior of said housing.
 8. The shifter asdescribed in claim 1, further comprising coaxially aligning contactlocations associated with ramped underside perimeter portions upon saiddetent locking wheel surrounded by perimeter defined locations upon anunderside of said housing, a first extending leg of said return springslidably displacing along said ramped underside of said wheel, a secondextending leg engaging a selected perimeter location of said housing. 9.The shifter as described in claim 1, further comprising said plungerhousing having a pair of lower and opposite and radial projectingguiding portions, these being interiorly hollowed for receiving a pairof opposing steel balls and supporting detent springs.
 10. The shifteras described in claim 8, further comprising at least one of a rotaryknob or an elongated lever attached to said plunger housing, said radialprojecting portions aligning with an inwardly facing detent profileassociated with said detent locking wheel, said outwardly influencedsteel balls supported within said open interior of said radial portionsinteracting in tactile induced fashion with said detent profile edgesdefined within said wheel surface to establish guided rotation of saidknob.
 11. The rotary shifter as described in claim 6, said lock leverfurther comprising a downward projection terminating in a magnet, saiddriver exit condition further occurring concurrent with rotation of saidlock lever with arcuate travel of said magnet in proximity to saidsensor in communication with said PCB board.
 12. The shifter asdescribed in claim 1, further comprising a plurality of light pipesarranged within said housing so that bottom open ends are incommunication with individual LED's integrated into said PCB board. 13.The rotary shifter as described in claim 11, said individual LED'sfurther comprising pairs of LED's for providing each of backlighting andgear indication respectively for each shifter position.
 14. The rotaryshifter as described in claim 1, further comprising said motordisplacing said lock lever between a first Park lock condition, a secondpartially retracted shifter adjustable condition and a third sensorinstructed and fully retracted return to Park condition.